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TOTTENHAM round off their pre-season preparations with a clash against Bayern Munich today in North London. Harry Kane is expected to be in the Bayern squad today to make his return to Spurs a year after his £100m move to Germany. Kick-off time: 5.30pm BSTStream: TNT Sports 1Spurs XI: To followBayern XI: To followBayern Munich formationBayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany has also opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation against Tottenham.Captain Manuel Neuer starts in goal with Josip Stanisic at right-back and Raphael Guerreiro on the other side, while Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae team up at centre-back.Joshua Kimmich and Aleksandar Pavlovic link up in midfield with Jamal Musiala at No10.Thomas Muller covers the right flank with Serge Gnabry on the other side, while Mathys Tel leads the attack.Copy linkCopiedTottenham formationTottenham boss Ange Postecoglou appears to have opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation against Bayern Munich.Guglielmo Vicario starts in goal with Pedro Porro at right-back and Djed Spence on the other side, while Radu Dragusin and Ben Davies link up at centre-back.Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr team up in midfield with James Maddison at No10.Dejan Kulusevski covers the right flank with Brennan Johnson on the other side, while captain Son Heung-min leads the attack.Copy linkCopiedDe Ligt & Mazraoui benchedBayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has included Matthijs de Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui to his bench.That is despite the fact the two defenders appear to be set to join Manchester United.According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Mazraoui has signed a five-year deal with the option to extend for another one following a €20m (£17m) deal that includes add-ons.The agreement was completed after Aaron Wan-Bissaka left United for West Ham.De Ligt will also sign a similar deal as Mazraoui but cost a €45m (£38.5m) fixed fee, plus €5m (£4.3m) in add-ons.The payment will also be spread over the next three-year period.Credit: GettyCredit: GettyCopy linkCopiedBayern Munich subsUlreich, Klanac, De Ligt, Goretzka, Kane, Coman, Dier, Palhinha, Laimer, Irankunda, Licina, Fernandez, Mazraoui, Vidovic, Azeko, AznouCopy linkCopiedTottenham subsAustin, Gunter, Udogie, Romero, Van de Ven, Donley, Skipp, Gray, Bergvall, Bentancur, Devine, Moore, Solomon, Werner, LankshearCopy linkCopiedBayern Munich XINeuer, Upamecano, Kim, Kimmich, Gnabry, Guerreiro, Muller, Tel, Musiala, Stanisic, PavlovicCopy linkCopiedTottenham XIVicario, Porro, Dragusin, Davies, Spence, Sarr, Bissouma, Maddison, Johnson, Kulusevski, SonCopy linkCopiedThe team sheets are in!!!Copy linkCopiedHead-to-HeadTottenham and Bayern Munich’s first ever encounter took place way back in 1982 during the Last 16 of the Cup Winners’ Cup in north London and the two sides played out a 1-1 draw.Since then, the two sides have faced off a total of six times across all official competitions.Bayern won a vast majority of four meetings while Spurs only emerged victorious once in the Last 16 of the Uefa Cup back in 1983 when they picked up a 2-0 triumph which led to the quarter-finals.The two teams also faced off in another friendly this summer in South Korea last week.The Bavarians won 2-1 thanks to goals by Gabriel Vidovic and Leon Goretzka before Pedro Porro’s consolation.Credit: APCopy linkCopiedGood afternoon from TottenhamWelcome to SunSport’s live blog coverage of the pre-season friendly between Tottenham and Bayern Munich at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Kostas here and I will be bringing you all the live action from north London today.Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou is expected to be without Richarlison and Destiny Udogie as they continue to recover from a calf and thigh injury respectively. Ashley Phillips also poses as a doubt as he is dealing with an unspecified issue.However, Postecoglou has welcomed back Cristian Romero, Micky Van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur and Giovani Lo Celso to training this week.This promises to be an emotional friendly with Harry Kane and Eric Dier both returning to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time since their departures last season.Kane and Dier will be presented with commemorative gifts by the North Londoners’ ambassador Ledley King before kick-off.Both Spurs heroes look set to play a big part for Bayern during this game and may even start.However, the Bavarians’ new manager Vincent Kompany may have to make a late call on Jamal Musiala.Musiala is still building fitness after his extended break following an impressive Euro 2024 campaign with Germany in June.Credit: RexCopy linkCopied More

ARSENAL return to English soil TONIGHT with a tough pre-season fixture against German champions Bayer Leverkusen.Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are in the Gunners’ squad for the first time since returning from an extended break due to their summer represeting England at Euro 2024.Arsenal have had an indifferent US tour, having drawn 2-2 with Bournemouth before beating bitter rivals Manchester United in LA.But Mikel Arteta’s men concluded their Stateside schedule with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Arne Slot’s Liverpool.Kick off time: 6pm BSTTV/Stream: Arsenal.comArsenal team: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Vieira, Odegaard, Trossard, Havertz, JesusBayer Leverkusen team: Kovar, Hincapie, Tah, Kossounou, Wirtz, Terrier, Tapsoba, Adli, Garcia, Frimpong, Xhaka.FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below…No Calafiori as Saliba startsArsenal (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Jorginho, Havertz; Vieira, Jesus, TrossardSubs: Ramsdale, Setford, Heaven, Lewis-Skelly, Nichols, Partey, Rice, Nelson, Nwaneri, Saka, Martinelli, NketiahCredit: @Arsenal on XCopy linkCopiedReturn of the XhakThe arrival of Bayer Leverkusen to the Emirates this evening means a welcome back to cult hero Granit Xhaka.The Swiss midfielder often had a love-hate affair with the Arsenal faithful during his seven years with the North London club.But his form in his final seasons with the Gunners won over many of his critics, and he is certain of a hero’s reception when he steps out again in front of the Arsenal supporters.Xhaka was an instrumental figure in Leverkusen’s stunning 2023-24 campaign, playing in 50 of their 53 games in all competitions.Copy linkCopiedArsenal’s pre-season so farThe Gunners are back from their tour of America, where they came up against three of their Premier League rivals – and finished with a win, a draw and a defeat to their name.1-1 draw v Bournemouth in California (Vieira), July 25th2-1 win v Man Utd in California (Jesus, Martinelli), July 28th2-1 defeat v Liverpool in Pennsylvania (Havertz), Aug 1stBayer Leverkusen (H), Aug 7thLyon (H), Aug 11thCopy linkCopiedGood afternoon from the EmiratesWelcome to live SunSport coverage of the pre-season friendly between Arsenal and Bayer Leverkusen.Yes, the Gunners are back on home soil for the first time this summer. and what better way to welcome back supporters than with a test against the Bundesliga champions.Xabi Alonso’s eye-catching outfit took Europe by storm last season, finishing the domestic campaign unbeaten as they won league and cup.In fact, the only match that the German side lost came in their penultimate contest, the Europa League final against Atalanta in Dublin.As for Mikel Arteta and his squad, they have returned to pre-season with the aim of improving on consecutive runner-up finishes in the Premier League. It’s a 6pm kick-off in the capital, and confirmation of the starting line-ups should be hitting the wires shortly.Copy linkCopied More

CHELSEA conclude their US pre-season tour with a tough test against Champions League serial winners Real Madrid TONIGHT.The Blues will be desperate to bounce back from a 4-2 loss at the hands of Manchester City.While Madrid’s last encounter also ended in defeat to bitter rivals Barcelona.Kick-off time: 12am BSTLive stream/TV: Chelsea TVChelsea team: Jorgensen, James, Badiashile, Colwill, Gusto, Lavia, Enzo, Nkunku, Madueke, Guiu, SterlingReal Madrid team: Courtois, Lucas Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Fran Garcia, Mario Martin, Modric, Ceballos, Rodrygo, Brahim, Vinicius JrFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below…How Chelsea players rated – SUBSTITUTESMykhailo Mudryk – 5: A vintage Mudryk display – lots of great work getting to the box and absolutely no end product once he arrived.Moises Caicedo – 6: More minutes for a player Maresca feels will be crucial if he is to succeed this season – looked sharp on the ball and kept the tempo up.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 6: A couple of bright moments on the ball and good runs in behind but not the greatest impact from the summer signing.Wesley Fofana – 6: Brought on in the unusual role of right-back but did not look out of place and was untroubled.Copy linkCopiedHow Chelsea players rated – FORWARDSRaheem Sterling – 6: Looks very comfortable in this new system, having thrived in similar roles at Manchester City. A couple of nearly moments going forwards and caused Real a few problems.Marc Guiu – 5: Put in a lot of work to lead the line but lacked a cutting edge and had to work with limited service.Copy linkCopiedHow Chelsea players rated – MIDFIELDERSRomeo Lavia – 6: Continues to look confident and impressive on the ball, trying to dictate games from the middle. Could have offered more cover to the defence at times.Noni Madueke – 7: One of Chelsea’s best performers on this tour of America. Scored his third goal in five games with a well-timed header and was a constant threat down the right.Enzo Fernandez – 6: Looked much more comfortable than the last two games and provided a superb assist for Madueke’s goal.Christopher Nkunku – 6: Looking sharper with each game though struggled to look as dangerous in the final third as he has been. Looks a very good fit for Maresca’s style of play.Copy linkCopiedHow Chelsea players rated – DEFENDERSFilip Jorgensen – 5: Unfortunate for the first goal but probably could have done more to stop Diaz for Real Madrid’s second.Reece James – 5: Struggled a lot up against Vinicius Jr at times, though did make one fine first half tackle on the Brazilian. Defensively very questionable at times and rarely got forwards.Levi Colwill – 5: Made a great last ditch challenge to stop Vinicius Jr early on but looked lost defensively at times as the game went on.Benoit Badiashile – 5: Lack of energy at the back making it far too easy for Real to get through at times.Malo Gusto – 6: Definitely still adapting to a new role on the left and playing in the middle on the ball. Got caught out in transition at times and was wasteful in possession but improved significantly in the second half.Copy linkCopiedFT: Chelsea 1-2 Real MadridA decent enough game to round off the US tour for both sides. The first half in particular could and should have yielded more goals than it did.Lucas Vazquez’s deflected effort and a tidy Brahim Diaz finish had Madrid in a two-goal lead.Five minutes before half-time, Noni Madueke got on the end of an Enzo Fernandez cross to head home and put the Blues back in it.They created little of note in the second period as both sides made a host of changes and it finished how the second half started.Copy linkCopiedFULL TIMEThe two teams have a plane to catch so the referee brings the game to an end.Full Time: Chelsea 1-2 Real MadridCopy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid89. Fofana intercepts the latest Madrid cross from the left, again sending the ball spiraling behind for a Madrid corner.Paz’s ball is good this time but Latasa’s near-post header flies a couple of yards over.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid89. The cross doesn’t beat the first man as Chelsea get it clear to halfway.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid88. Madrid are almost in again after a clever, low through ball.The ball across goal is cut out in the middle but sent behind for a Madrid corner.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid88. Goodness me. Madueke goes for curl and power and sends it flying well high and well, well wide.About as bad a free kick as I can remember seeing.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid87. Good chance for Chelsea this.A free kick, ten yards from the byline wide on their attacking right.The big boys are up.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid85. What a tackle to prevent an almost-certain goal!Mudryk and Enzo work a good one-two, with the winger inside the box on the left and trying to work it onto his right foot.Asencio slides across and wins the ball to prevent him bearing down on goal.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid84. Nico Paz has looked incredibly silky since coming on. What a good football player.He’s involved plenty in the latest Madrid attack, eventually working a clever 1-2 with Mario Martin, who smashes a shot just wide from the edge of the area.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid81. Luka Modric is given a standing ovation by almost all inside this arena as he makes his way off.Lorenzo replacing him.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid79. Chelsea attack at pace through Mudryk and he does well in a 1v2 situation out wide to win a corner.It’s taken short to him but his clipped cross is headed to safety.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid78. Madrid win a corner down their left hand side, just moments after they thought they might’ve had a penalty.Lucas Vazquez’s header on the edge of the box does hit Mudryk’s arm but it’s never a penalty.Nothing comes of the corner either.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid75. Over 62,600 in attendance, the announcer has told us.Not bad at all, that.On the park, Nico Pax lets fly with a shot from 25 yards but it’s straight at Jorgensen who gets down to collect it.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid75. Madueke with a good chance to run at Rudiger, who it out of position at left back.The big defender just stands up and allows Madueke to almost trip over his own feet before getting it to safety.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid73. Still 2-1 Madrid with not much happening since those multiple changes were made.A theme of pre-season, you have to say. And probably fair enough.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid70. Another Chelsea change as Reece James is replaced by Wesley Fofana.Enzo Fernandez is handed the armband.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid68. Changes aplenty midway through the half as Dewsbury-Hall replaces Guiu for Chelsea.Madrid changes:OFF: Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo & MilitaoON: Paz, Latasa & AsencioCopy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid65. Quality close control again from Vinicius Jr, who looks like being one of a handful of players to be subbed off shortly.He picks up a pass on the left and sits Madueke down driving on his outside.He cuts it back but only finds Fernandes who positioned himself well.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid63. This attack kind of sums up Mudryk at the minute.He does well to intercept just inside his own half but driving 30 yards with the ball to get to the edge of the area.Then, around 20 yards from goal, who fires wildly at goal, sending it probably 20 yards over the bar.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid62. Gusto still operating this inverted left-full back role.Remains to be seen whether he’ll be a permanent fixture in the Blues team and if he’s good enough for that role.A couple of good touches in the middle are wasted by a poor cross-field pass this time, though.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 1-2 Real Madrid59. Chelsea just threatening a couple of times in quick succession.First Lunin has to deal with a dangerous ball into the box.Then Chelsea press well through Caicedo before Guiu collects 20 yards from goal but his shot is straight down the keeper’s throat.Copy linkCopied More

LIVERPOOL have beaten bitter rivals Manchester United 3-0 in a pre-season friendly in the United States.The Reds took the lead through Fabio Carvalho’s deflected strike on 10 minutes.Curtis Jones made it 2-0 later in the first half after great work from Mo Salah to put it on a plate for his Liverpool teammate.Just after the hour mark, Konstantinos Tsimikas tapped in from close range for 3-0 as the Reds cruised to victory over their bitter rivals.Match result: Man Utd 0-3 LiverpoolMan Utd team: Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Evans, Lindelof, Amass, Casemiro, Collyer, Amad, Mount, Rashford, SanchoLiverpool team: Kelleher, Bradley, Konate, Quansah, Tsimikas, Jones, Gravenberch, Salah, Elliott, Carvalho, JotaFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below…Man Utd’s pre-season fixtures and resultsJuly 15: Rosenborg 1-0 Man UtdJuly 20: Rangers 0-2 Man UtdJuly 28: Arsenal 2-1 Man UtdAugust 1: Man Utd 3-2 Real BetisAugust 4: Man Utd 0-3 LiverpoolAugust 10 – Community Shield: Man City vs Man Utd – Wembley, kick-off 3pmCopy linkCopiedMatch stats from Williams-Brice StadiumEight of Manchester United’s 18 attempts at goal were on target, but none were good enough to beat either Caoimhin Kelleher or Vítezslav Jaros.Credit: manutd.comCopy linkCopiedFull time – Man Utd 0-3 LiverpoolManchester United’s pre-season tour of the US comes to a crashing end with a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.The club’s two bald Dutch managers share an embrace at the final whistle, but in truth one will be much happier with what he has seen this evening.In truth, United played well for large parts, but were wasteful in front of goal, and made costly mistakes at the back when it mattered.Liverpool, in contrast, were clinical, and were able to use the final third of the match to give run-outs to their array of impressive youngsters.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool90. The fourth official signals two minutes of added time.Do they still count as minutes in the legs if you’re 3-0 down to your fierce rivals and it’s thoroughly wet and miserable?Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool88. Antony just spins and tricks his way past Bajcetic on the near touchline.A man for the big occasion. Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool86. Now Aaron Wan-Bissaka has gone down and is in need of medical attention.As South Carolina proved earlier, it doesn’t rain but it pours.The right-back is substituted for James Scanlon, and you wonder if that could scupper his proposed move to West Ham.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool84. All the changes have done for this game in terms of its flow.Casemiro and Christian Eriksen roaming around midfield now resembles two exasperated fathers trying to keep pace with a load of toddlers at soft play.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool82. Seventeen-year-old Trey Nyoni almost wriggles in to score a fourth at the near post.In the end, the youngster’s shot is deflected kindly into the hands of Onana.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool80. Tonight’s attendance is officially confirmed as 77, 559. Astonishing.Somewhere, Premier League bigwigs are rubbing their hands in glee…Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool77. Midfielder Maxi Oyedele is having to play at centre-back as United have run out of defenders.Erik ten Hag may be considering wrapping Harry Maguire in cotton wool until August 16th.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool75. With 15 minutes remaining, the real joy comes with listening to each club’s in-house commentator trying to get to grips with all the changes that have been made, and the youngsters that are now on show.In terms of United, Andre Onana, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Casemiro are still all out there.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool72. Fish’s departure is the trigger for three more United substitutes with Oyedele, Murray and Mather all on.Amass and Sancho join the stricken Fish in departing the action.Both sides are now unrecognisable from the ones that started this contest, and are unrecognisable from the ones that will kick off the Premier League season in two weeks.Copy linkCopied Man Utd 0-3 Liverpool71. It’s the last thing that the 77,000 fans here this evening wanted to see but Will Fish will leave the pitch on a stretcher.Erik ten Hag has made his way to the pitch in order to console the youngster, who is clearly distraught by the injury.As he leaves, several of the United bench make their way out to the touchline to wish their teammate well.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool69. Will Fish picks up the game’s first yellow card for a late challenge on Harvey Blair.But there’s a bigger concern because the United defender has stayed down after catching the Liverpool youngster.Fish is holding his ankle, and looks in real discomfort.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool67. Liverpool make wholesale changes midway through the second period.Two of the three goalscorers in Tsimikas and Carvalho head off along with Salah, Elliott, Jota, Gravenberch and Quansah,On for Arne Slot’s side are Endo, Bajcetic, Chambers, Phillips, Doak, Morton and Blair.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool65. Oh, Wheatley should have made an instant impression.The ball finds kindly for the young substitute in the box, who reacts by thumping a shot straight at Jaros.Either side of the goalkeeper and that would have been in. Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool63. Erik ten Hag has responded to that third Liverpool with three more changes.Antony is on for Amad Diallo, Christian Eriksen takes over from Mason Mount, and Ethan Wheatley replaces Toby Collyer.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-3 Liverpool61. Manchester United are being taught a lesson.I’m not exactly sure what that lesson is, but suspect is something to do with taking your chances.It’s exactly what Liverpool have done, and even when they haven’t initially, they’ve been quick to pounce.Here’s a case in point: Mo Salah and Conor Bradley exchange passes down the right before the latter pulls back for Diogo Jota – and although Andre Onana saves well from the Portuguese international, Kostas Tsimilkas is in the right place to tap home from close range.There was probably two offsides in the build-up to the goal, but when your luck’s out, your luck’s out.Copy linkCopiedIt’s three!Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-2 Liverpool58. United are pushing again.Casemiro isn’t tall enough to head in at the far post and his slight touch is enough to take the ball away from McTominay racing in behind. Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-2 Liverpool56. Great feet by McTominay! Must be! No!The Scottish substituted looked destined to bring Manchester United back into the game there after controlling well in the area and beating Tsimikas to leave himself with a free shot at goal.But Liverpool’s reserve goalkeeper Jaros was off his line quickly, and just about got a boot on the effort to turn it behind for a corner.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-2 Liverpool53. Young Harry Amass shows his ability at both ends of the pitch.First, the 17-year-old twists and turns away from Conor Bradley to step up a cross that Sepp van den Berg almost chests past his own goalkeeper.Then seconds later, the teenager makes up ground on a rampaging Salah to cleanly tackle the Liverpool legend before he can get his shot away.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-2 Liverpool51. That’s less impressive from Amad, who makes an awful mess of a shot after a cross is flicked on through a crowded penalty area.The Ivorian snatches at the opportunity at the far post, somehow thumping the ball into the ground and back from where it came.Copy linkCopiedMan Utd 0-2 Liverpool49. The second half starts with a mazy run from Amad that sees him take on one, two, three, four Liverpool defenders.The exciting dart ends with a cynical shirt pull from Tsimikas and a Casemiro scuffed effort straight at Jaros.Copy linkCopiedKick-off – Man Utd 0-2 Liverpool46. The half-time interval was packed with a disco and a light show, but now the action is over and it’s time for the football to take over.Manchester United have made three changes at the break with Will Fish, Rhys Bennett and Scott McTominay on for Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Marcus Rashford.It’s two changes for opponents Liverpool with goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher off for Vítezslav Jaros, and centre-back Ibrahima Konate replaced by Sepp van den Berg.Copy linkCopied More

MANCHESTER CITY have beaten Chelsea 4-2 in a pre-season friendly in the United States.Pep Guardiola’s men took the lead through goal machine Erling Haaland’s third-minute penalty.Seconds later, the Norweigan bagged his second, rifling past Robert Sanchez in the Chelsea goal.Early in the second half, it went from bad to worse for Enzo Maresca’s men after Oscar Bobb made it 3-0 before Haaland got his hat-trick on 56 minutes.Raheem Sterling’s close-range thunderbolt pulled one back for Chelsea on the hour mark.In the 89th minute, Noni Madueke converted to make it 4-2 to take the shine off City’s dominance.Match result: Chelsea 2-4 Man CityChelsea team: Sanchez, James, Tosin, Colwill, Gusto, Lavia, Caicedo, Enzo, Dewsbury-Hall, Nkunku, MudrykMan City team: Ortega, Lewis, Phillips, Gvardiol, Wilson-Esbrand, Kovacic, McAtee, O’Reilly, Bobb, Grealish, HaalandFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollow our live blog below…Chelsea’s pre-season fixtures and resultsJuly 25: Chelsea 2-2 WrexhamJuly 27: Chelsea 1-4 CelticAugust 1: Chelsea 3-0 Club AmericaAugust 3: Chelsea 2-4 Man CityAugust 7: Chelsea vs Real Madrid – Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, kick-off 12amAugust 11: Chelsea vs Inter Milan – Stamford Bridge, kick-off 3pmCopy linkCopiedPep on EdersonPep Guardiola revealed the reason behind why Ederson didn’t feature against Chelsea.The City gaffer said that the Brazilian has “niggles” and didn’t train on Friday.Ederson has been subject to a lot of transfer speculation this summer, with reported interest from Saudi Arabia.Credit: PACopy linkCopiedErling fires warning shot to Premier LeagueJust when you thought it was safe to go back in the water.The predator that is Erling Haaland bags another hat-trick.With the new Premier League season only just more than a week away, the Norwegian seems to getting into his goalscoring stride at just the right time.Credit: APCopy linkCopiedFT: Man City 4-2 ChelseaBoth sides will have learnt lots of lessons from this evening.More so for Pep Guardiola who will have more of an idea of which young talents are ready to take the step up to the first team.Chelsea seem no closer to knowing what their best 11 players are.Copy linkCopiedFT: Man City 4-2 ChelseaThe referee brings the game to a close.Man City take the spoils in what was an entertaining game.Chelsea’s late goal made the scoreline seem more respectable.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-2 Chelsea90. A Man City move breaks down and Chelsea break.The ball is clipped over the top of the defence and into the path of Madueke who has clear space to run through on goal.He shows good composure as he slots the ball past Carson.Copy linkCopiedGoal – Noni Madueke (Chelsea)Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea88. Chelsea continue to pass the ball around, trying to create something.All too often there is lack of options in front of them and they go more direct.They have no attacker able to dominate in the air or hold the ball up.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea86. Phillips and O’Reilly make way for some more changes.To be fair that is the first time in this game I have seen Kalvin Phillips.He has done well to remain so anonymous in such a comfortable victory.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea84. Chelsea almost create another glimpse of goal but nobody seems to want to shoot.They just keep crossing the ball from one side of the box to the other and back again.They still seem to be lacking a focal point up top.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea82. Gusto is fouled by O’Reilly and wins a free kick.If Chelsea could get another goal in the closing stages it would make this scoreline look far more respectable.That said, Man City deserve this score, they have been dominant from start to finish.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea80. Man City make a host of changes. Guardiola wants to give some of his academy products a run-out.This game is done and dusted so he can afford to.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea78. Gusto picks the ball up in the middle of the park.He only has one thing on his mind as he goes for goal.The ball sails wide of the top corner.Ortega has now come off for a rare appearance from Scott Carson.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea76. Guardiola will be pleased with what he has seen tonight.They are without some big names still but managed to convincingly put Chelsea to the sword tonight.That said, it is more the manner of the victory that will be seen as a positive for the Spaniard.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea74. At times Chelsea give a glimpse of a dangerous team.All too often their attacks breakdown disappointingly.Fatah then has a chance to score but has a complete air-swipe at the ball.The Blues go down the other end and Madueke looks destined to score but Ortege makes a fantastic block.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea72. Guardiola brings some more fresh faces on.They immediately get into the action and almost force another goal but James turns it behind for a corner.Sanchez then plays a loose pass straight to a Man City attacker but he cannot convert the chance.Moments later Galvez has a shot from an acute angle and the ball comes thundering back off the woodwork.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea68. As the players stop for another drinks break, Lewis hobbles off.That is the end of the evening for him.Last chance for both managers to get their instructions across to the players for the last twenty minutes of the game.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea66. Madueke has looked lively for Chelsea since coming on.He drifts another cross into the box but it is headed clear.As the Blues recycle it, the ball is threaded into the path of Sterling but Lewis slides in and wins the ball.He seems to have picked up an injury in the process.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea64. Chelsea counter once again and Marc Guiu is played into the box.As Ortega rushes out to meet him, he looks to slot it past the City keeper.He gets his effort all wrong as it goes well wide of the target.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea62. Despite this being a pre-season friendly, Pep Guardiola does not seem to be taking it that way.He is on the touchline barking orders to his players.The Spaniard is not happy with the ease in which Chelsea scored their goal.Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-1 Chelsea60. Finally Chelsea fans have something to celebrate.Madueke does well down the flank and clips a precise cross into the box.Sterling is there to volley home and reduce the lead.Copy linkCopiedGoal – Raheem Sterling (Chelsea)Copy linkCopiedMan City 4-0 Chelsea58. This could turn into a rout now.We have over half an hour to play and Man City are four goals to the good.It seems too easy for them to open up this Chelsea defence.Credit: AFPCopy linkCopiedGoal – Erling Haaland (Man City)Copy linkCopiedMan City 3-0 Chelsea56. Sterling gives away possession on the halfway line.Man City break and Bobb beats Sanchez at his near post.It looked all too easy for the youngster.Copy linkCopied More

ARSENAL conclude their US pre-season tour with a tough test against Premier League rivals Liverpool tonight. The Gunners were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Bournemouth in Los Angeles last week while Arne Slot will be looking to pick up another win for the Reds. Kick-off time: 12.30am BSTStream: Arsenal.comSlot gets one over Arteta They will no doubt see plenty more of each other in years to come but Arne Slot will take some pleasure in coming out on top in this one.Particularly in the first half, he set his side out well to disrupt Arsenal and cause their defence problems.Goals from Salah and Carvalho were enough to seal to victory.Credit: AFPCopy linkCopiedGunners end USA tour with defeatAfter drawing with Bournemouth and beating Man Utd, The Gunners finish their pre-season tour of the US with defeat against Liverpool.They will return to the UK and continue to prepare for the forthcoming Premier League season.Riccardo Califiori will continue to look to gel with the squad and will be hoping to make his debut in the not too distant future.Copy linkCopiedFT: Liverpool 2-1 ArsenalThis game will give both managers plenty to think about as they make the final preparations for the season ahead.It will show them areas they may need to strengthen if they want to achieve their goals for the campaign.Slot will be pleased with how often his side opened up the Arsenal defence in the first-half, given that Arteta fielded a strong side.Copy linkCopiedFT: Liverpool 2-1 ArsenalThe referee brings the game to a close.Liverpool hold on for victory against their Premier League rivals.After the first-half we were treated to, the second-half was quite the anti-climax.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal90+4. Trossard looks to shield the ball with his body and gets a slight knee to the back.He goes down like he will never walk again.I wonder if Mikel Arteta teaches his players to react like an extra from Saving Private Ryan as soon as they feel any contact whatsoever.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal90+2. The youngsters who have come on for Liverpool have given it their all.Beck in particular has impressed since his introduction.Blair is making a nuisance of himself to the Arsenal defence.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal90. Arsenal force a corner and look to play it short.The move breaks down and Liverpool are able to counter with pace.Nyoni gets a shot off towards the far corner but Hein gets down well to deny them.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal88. Nat Phillips is bossing the centre of defence now for Slot’s side.It is baffling that he is still a Liverpool player, brought in through desperation due to an injury crisis during pandemic.He is a championship defender at best.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal86. Arsenal are struggling to put Liverpool under any pressure in the final third since the changes.The game has become a little scrappy as a result.That will suit Liverpool, who have a lead to defend.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal84. Arteta brings a host of youngsters on.With the season only a few weeks away, neither manager wants to run their senior players into the ground.Time is starting to run out for Arsenal to find this equaliser.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal82. Odegaard spots the runs of Nketiah into the channel.The Gunners’ striker tries to get a shot away from a seeminly impossible angle and drags it well wide of the goal.Jorginho then wins a foul for Arteta’s side on the halfway line.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal80. As an Arsenal cross comes in, Kiwior beats Stephenson to the header.The Polish defender cannot keep his effort down as it sails over the crossbar.Liverpool just cannot retain possession now.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal78. Liverpool will be more than content to hold onto this lead now.Arsenal have brought the experienced Jorginho on.It really has been a game of two halves for Arnie Slot’s side in this game.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal76. The teams stop for another drinks break.Even the pitch gets some water during this period as the sprinklers appear from the ground and come on.It is so warm in Philadelphia tonight I am surprised the palyers do not walk into the fountain of water.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal74. The Gunners continue to pass the ball around.It ends up with Hein, who clears it long upfield.Arsenal do not really have many players capable of holding such balls up and Liverpool clear their lines.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal72. Liverpool have plenty of fresh legs on the pitch now but very little experience.Arsenal continue to look to turn the screw, in search of an equaliser.They are just missing that final pass currently.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal70. Both managers are making a host of changes now.Any recognisable first-team face is being given a rest.Chance for the academy talents to impress now.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal68. The Gunners look the most likely to score right now.If this were a boxing match, Liverpool have barely laid a glove on Arteta’s side in this half.As Arsenal swing a corner in, Jesus meets it but heads it well over the crossbar.Credit: GettyCopy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal66. You can see why Liverpool turned down bids for Endo.He may not set the world alight but he is a busy player who covers a lot of ground and reads the game well.Arsenal come forward once again but as the ball comes into the box, Liverpool hack the ball clear.The Gunners recycle it and Kelleher makes a good save to deny Viera.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal64. A loose pass from Odegaard sets Liverpool away.The Gunners are quick to get numbers behind the ball to prevent Liverpool from putting Hein’s goal in danger.Szoboszlai does brilliantly to pick out Tsimikas out onn the left but his cross into the box is too high and nobody can get to it.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal62. The tempo of the game seems to have slowed considerably.This suits Arsenal more who prefer to have time on the ball.Liverpool look most dangerous when playing what their previous manager described as ‘heavy metal football’.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal60. Tsimikas is penalised for a foul on Viera out wide.If this wasn’t a pre-season friendly, the Greek full-back would have no doubt have been shown a card by now.Liverpool counter-attack as Elliott looks to get a shot off at goal but it is easily blocked.His teammates offered him no options other than shooting.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal58. Already in these early stages of the half, Liverpool seem to bee missing the industry and hold up play of Jota.They are not asking the questions of the Arsenal defence that they did before the interval.As a result, The Gunners are putting more pressure on The Reds in the final third.Credit: APCopy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal56. The Premier League love changing the rules to the game at any given opportunity.It would be refreshing to see them clamp down on diviing.There is no need to slow the game down, the VAR studio could just inform them of a dive and the official addresses it with a card when the ball next goes out of play.The simulation of players trying to con the referee is making a mockery of the game.Copy linkCopiedLiverpool 2-1 Arsenal54. The Gunners force another corner, which is taken by Viera.The cross is way too deep and nobody can get to it.Gabriel throws himself to the ground, looking for a penalty.As the replay shows he was pulling Stephenson’s shirt as much as he was his.Copy linkCopied More

CHELSEA continue their US pre-season tour with a clash against Club America as they look to win their first game under new management.Enzo Maresca’s Blues got hammered by Scottish giants Celtic last weekend and they’ll be looking to put things right against the Central American side. That’s all from AtlantaWhere Chelsea have won their first game of pre-season, and have experienced victory under new boss Enzo Maresca for the first time.Stamford Bridge supporters will be hoping – and expecting – that the success will not be his last.We’re now off to catch the midnight train from Georgia so thanks for joining us and goodnight.Copy linkCopiedNext up for the BluesChelsea have two more games of their US tour to navigate with friendlies against Manchester City in Ohio, and then Real Madrid in North Carolina still to come.The Blues then return home for the first Stamford Bridge game of Enzo Maresca’s tenure, a friendly with Inter MIlan.The new Premier League season kicks off in the middle of August with another game against the reigning Premier League champions Man City – this time in front of the Chelsea faithful – and the month ends with a trip to Molineux to take on Wolves.Copy linkCopiedMatch stats from the Mercedes-Benz StadiumChelsea goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen only had one save to make over the 90 minutes, and that was the former’s spectacular stop to keep out Javairo Dilrosun’s curler.Credit: chelseafc.comCopy linkCopiedFull time – Chelsea 3-0 Club AmericaThe final whistle is blown in Atlanta, and Enzo Maresca has his first win as the Chelsea manager.Three goals, two penalties, and one half packed with incisive, exciting football, this has been the Blues’ best showing of pre-season so far.Christopher Nkunku and Noni Madueke were on the spot from 12 yards while Marc Guiu’s first half header was bundled over his own line by Cristian Calderon.Romeo Lavia was excellent in midfield, especially in the first 45 minutes when he partnered Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a player that could have marked his first Chelsea appearance with at least two goals.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 3-0 Club America90. Three minutes of stoppage time are signalled at the end of the game.But in truth, this was over a long time ago in terms of it being a contest.However, it has been a solid workout for the Blues, and a much-needed morale-boosting win.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 3-0 Club America89. Bad news for Broja again.The substitute comes off second best as he challenges with goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota for a deep cross from the right.Once more, there’s nothing untoward in the collision, it’s just unfortunate for the Albanian international that he is continuously getting the sharp end of the stick.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 3-0 Club America87. Chelsea’s two scorers from 12 yards have gone off with Nkunku and Madueke having been replaced by Angelo and Tyrique George respectively. Copy linkCopiedChelsea 3-0 Club America85. Five minutes remain, and Broja is causing a nuisance in attack once again.The striker feels he should have been awarded Chelsea’s third penalty of the night, but the challenge from Reyes inside the box was fair if a little messy.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 3-0 Club America82. Stunning clearance from Ben Chilwell!The left-back throws himself at a shot headed for the back of the net, connecting with a diving header to turn the ball behind for a corner.After a scramble inside the box, Club America supporters would have surely thought they were about to get themselves on the scoresheet.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 3-0 Club America – Goal!80. Christopher Nkunku hands over penalty duties to Noni Madueke, who had wanted to take that spotkick awarded in the opening seconds of the contest.Still, this effort was well worth the wait!Left-footed, the forward stutters on his run up, and then plants a brilliant penalty into the top left corner of goal beyond the despairing Rodolfo Cota.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America78. Christopher Nkunku tricks his way into the box, rounds goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota, and is then brought down by the goalkeeper!The referee takes a long look at the collision, and then points again to the spot!Chelsea have a second penalty of the night!Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America76. Madueke plays Broja through on goal! He must score! Wide!!Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America73. Mudryk is caught offside.I’ve missed saying that.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America71. Gusto is off, and on in his place is Ben Chilwell.The left-back looked impressive on the US tour this time last year before injuries and form made it a season to forget.He’ll be hoping for better in 2024-25.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America70. Malo Gusto doesn’t look to happy, and I don’t think it’s just because 10,000 Mexicans are whistling in his direction.The full-back is sitting down on the turf, and has indicated that he’s unable to go on after picking up a knock.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America68. Sharp effort from Broja! Turned away by Cota!One substitute denies another after the Slough-born Albanian manages to dig out a sharp effort from an acute angle.In fact, it took a deflection off a defender which made the task even harder for Club America’s veteran goalkeeper.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America67. And on the basis of consistency, Rodrigo Aguirre goes into the book too.The Uruguayan sees himself cautioned for a cynical trip on Nkunku.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America65. Lesley Ugochukwu is straight into the thick of it……and straight into the referee’s notebook.He’s yellow carded for a trip on Alvaro Fidalgo.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America62. Okay, here we go!In no particular order, on come Wesley Fofana, Armando Broja, Lesley Ugochukwu, Mykhailo Mudryk, and Renato Veiga.Departing early are Benoît Badiashile, Marc Guiu, Romeo Lavia, Raheem Sterling and Reece James.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America60. Chelsea are preparing a number of substitutions on the touchline.In fact, there doesn’t seem to be enough room for the coaches to dish out instruction.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America58. A Mexican wave has broken out in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.As it’s mainly Club America fans, I guess it can’t be seen as cultural appropriation.Still bloody irritating though.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America56. Club America are essentially fielding a completely different side in this second half, and as usual with so many changes, there’s a very different vibe to the contest.Since half-time, Chelsea are having loads of possession but are now being faced by a low block that is no longer allowing them the space they revelled in during the first period.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America53. Nkunku is caught by a sore one on the calf that leaves him wincing as he hobbles away.After the Frenchman missed so much football with injury last term, you can’t blame Chelsea fans fearing the worst whenever he is chopped down like that.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America51. As is his wont, Sterling benefits from a lucky bounce or two as he darts into the area.His cross into the middle is half-cleared, but only as far as Lavia, who follows up with a placed shot straight at the keeper.Copy linkCopiedChelsea 2-0 Club America48. Club America have made changes too, including the introduction of Dagoberto Espinoza, who is wearing the shirt number 197.It’s ironic that he’s playing the one club in world football that could feasibly field such a number among their first team squad.Copy linkCopied More